Combined chocolate dipping table and cooler



. j l i 1,638 41l Aug. 9,1927. J. KQRKAMES 0 COMBINED CHOCOLATE DIPPINGTABLE AND COOLER Filed May 12. 1926 s sheets-sheet 1 l Aug. 9, 1927.

J.- 'KORKAMES COMBINED CHOCOLATE DIPPING TABLE AND COOLER Filed May 12,1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. v9, 1927.

UNITED STATES Jon KonKAMEs, or TnMrLE, TEXAS.

COMBINED CHOCOLATE DIiPlPING-.TABLE AND COOLER.

Application filed May 12,

My invention relates to a combined chocolate dipping table and chocolatecandy cool er, and has particular reference to a unitary structureincluding a chocolate melting receptacle, a cold candy-vvorking slab VonWhich the fancy and Coated products are Worked, and a storagecompartment inv which the finished chocolates may be placed to properlycool, set and harden.

The maintenance of a proper Working and cooling temperature forchocolates is a rather diiiicult problem and one that requires carefulconsideration if a good-tex ture, finish and absence from bloom is to besecured. Before the days of refrigeration, chocolatecandies werebestmade in the cooler months of the year when the naturally lowtemperature would allovv the chocolate to properly -setand harden.v Withthe introduction of artificial and mechanical refrigeration, it becamecustomary to manufacture the chocolates at vordinary room. temperatureand, When finished, to store the chocolates in a cold room. Anothermethod 25 of manufacture consists .in Working and cooling the chocolatesin a special Work room, the temperature of Which. has been reduced tothe proper degree to insure satisfactory Working and hardeningconditions. Since the introduction of these methods of maintaining theproper Working and cooling temperatures, many `and various ai#rangements of coolers and special devices have been employed to enablethe manufacture of fancy or coated chocolates to proceed Withoutinterruption throughout `the Whole year and Without theV necessity ofsuspending manufacture during the hot Weather, the most satisfactoryform of de? i0 vice being the combined Working'table and storagecompartment.. With such cabinet structures, it is not necessary toresort tok the expensive methods of reducing the temperature of theentire Work room, but only the Working-slab and storage compartment,thus effecting a marked savingand reduction in the refrigerant orrefrigerating power required. In such devices it has been customary toprovide suitable storage compartments in Which the finished coatedproducts may be placed to set and harden and to cool such compartmentsby placing therein a block of ice or cooling coils,'the air 1926. SerialN0.71O8,589.

Vcirculating aroundl the ice or coil Vand In around the chocolate tocool the same. other forms of cabinet structures the ,coolingcompartment has one or more of its sides in directcontact With ice orcooling brine, whereby the storage compartment is main-y tained at theproper temperature. In cabinet structures Where the circulation of airover the ice or cooling coils is utilized to set orV harden thechocolates itv is difficult, if not impossible, to secure a satisfactoryproduct,. as the moisture from the ice or coils condenses uponthechocolates and causes a bloom or gray color" which is highlyundesirable. In the form of cabin-et Where a. side or sides of thecooling compartment4 is in direct contact Withthe ice or cooling brine,the inner sid'esof the compartment collect'moist'ure or sweat, thusvcreating a moist atmosphere in the cooling compartment and causing thechocolates to bloom or become gray. In both of these forms ofcabinetsthere is also the likelihood of the condensed moisture drippingon the trays and chocolates with ruinous results. It 1s, therefore,obvious that if.satis "-factory results are to be obtained, the coolsamean absolutely dry, cold atmosphere in Which the chocolates Will set orharden Without acquiring a bloom7 or objectionable 'gray color.

A further .object of my invention is to provide a combined chocolatedipping and candy cooler, chiefly designed to facilitate and expeditethe production of fancy and coated chocolates, regardless of Work-roomtemperature, and in which asuitable Work table is provided having akplane top surface inivhich is positioned a chocolate melt ingreceptacle, a cold Working slab and a tray support, and to` associatewith this ico -l il Gti work table a suitable storage compartment inwhich the iinished chocolates may be conveniently placed to set orharden, ice

or cooling coil compartments being posito provide a device of the abovementioned character in which the ice or cooling coil compartments forthe working slab and storage are equipped with drip-trays for catchingthe moisture or drip collecting on the bottoms of such compartments andtor conveying the same to a suitable discharge point, means also beingprovided to completely separate the storage compartment from directcontact with th-ermoisture bearing surfaces ot said ice or cooling coilcompartments, whereby to elle tiveiy maintain a dry or moisture-treecooling atmosphere wit-hin the storage compartment.

A still further object oi' my invention is to provide a device oi theabove mentioned character that may be readily assembled and disassembledor purposes of cleaning and repair, that is simple in construction andope yation, and highly ecient for the purposes for which designed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part ot this specilication, andinv which is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved combined chocolate dippingtable and cooler,

` Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the linel 3 3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, 4

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. G is a. fragmental vertical sectional view through the deviceshowing the utilization ot cooling` coils instead of ice for cooling theworking slab and storage compartment. y eferring to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals are employed to designatesimilar parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designatesbroadly my improved work table, comprising` an open top portion 2,supported by suitable legs 3 and having at its lower right-hand side asuitable storage compartment 4, open at its front and rear sides andprovided with swinging doors 5 and 6 respectively, adapt-- ed to closesaid compartment and Vto permit ready access thereto, latches? beingprovided to maintain said .doors in closed position. The above describedconstruction may be made of wood, it being `understood that the heightand dimensions ot said work-table are. snch that the candy-maker maycomfortably sit upon a chair positioned in i'ront of the table-andthatthe entire upper surace of the table and the front door 5 ot thecompartment 4 is within easy reach of the operator when thus seated. Y

The open tabletop 2 is completely covered by a sheet rinc or other sheetmetal cover 8, provided with a depending, tray-like compartment 9,extendingl along the front surface ot the cover and adapted to underlie'the removable working slab 10, which may be of marble, metal or othermaterialof good thermal conductivity. yimmediately in rear ot theVcompartment 9, and Aseparated therefrom, is a second depending tray-likecompartment 11, having near the bottom thereof suitable heating means12, either gas or electric, and adapted to receive a removable chocolatemelting receptacle 18. To the right ot the compartment 9 and preferablyformed integral therewith7 is third depending traylike compartment 14somewhat 'deeper than the compartment 9 with which it is joined,

said compartment 14 extending above the.

storage compartment 4. VGverthe compartment 14 may lie-placed, itdesired, a removable rectangular trame 15 adapted to support theindividual chocolate-cooling trays 1G, which trays are oi a suliicientsize to completely cover the opening in said trame. llt will beunderstood by reference tothe accompanying drawings that the tray-'likecompartments 9 and 14 are in direct communication, it being 'furthernoted that the bottom of the compartment 9 slopes toward thevcoinpartment 14. f

' A. one-piece lies the tray-like compartments 9 and 14, said drip panbeing slightly larger than the bottom surface of said compartments 9 and14 and having an upturned marginal flange. `When the compartments 9 and14 are lilled with ice and `salt 18, as shown in Fig. 8, `or whencooling coils 19 are placed within the said compartments, as shown inFig, G, any

lmoisture which collects on the outer surface lying pan 17.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be seen that the melting tray 18, the working .slab10, and the tray supporting trame 15 are all detachable from the coverof such compartments drops into the undermember 8 and maybereadilyr-emoved for partment designated broadly by the referdrip panvllcompletely under-l sides of the front and rear doors 5 and 6,

respectively, of the compartment 4, when the said doors are in closedposition. The width of the compartment 2O is less than the distancebetween the side walls of the compartment 4 within which it is located,thusl pro'- viding spaces 21 on opposite sides of the com# part-mentQOin dir ct `communication with.

adapted to support the individual trays 16 in parallel spaced relationwithin the compartment.

To enable the compartment 14 to be drained, I provide a hole through thebottom thereof near the forward end of the conipartnientand solder orotherwise secureV around this hole a funnel-shaped depending fiange 23of a sufficient length to pass through aligned holes in the drip pan 17and the top of the compartment 20. Into this hole I insert a plugor cork24, andwhen it is desired to drain the liquid from thecompartment 14,tho trays 16 are removed from the storage compartment 20, a bucket orother receptacle placed in the compartment 2O below the opening' in thetop thereofI and the plug 24 removed from the drainage opening. Toenable the drip-pan 17 to be drained, I provide a hole through the topof the compartmentv 2O near the rear end thereof and solder or otherwisesecure around this hole an upstanding tapered flange 25 of sufficientheight to pass through an aligned hole in the bottom of the drip pan 17.Into this hole I insert from the inside of v the compartment 2O a plugor cork Q6, and

Vwhen it is desired to drain the liquid from the drip-pan 17, the traysare removed from the storage compartment 20, a bucket orl the properrventilation and circulation of ain `within the side spaces 21 andaround the outer surfaces of the compartment 14, I provide Ventilatingholes 29 passing throtugh the bottom of the compartment 4 andcommunicating with the lspace 21,Y and to insure circulation, I providethe rear face of the table above the` door` 6 with a pair ofventilatingopenings 30 positioned above the top portion of thecompartmenty 20.

Referring now to the operation of my improved device, the working slab10 is re.

moved from the top of the table and the compartments 9 and 14 partiallyfilled with ice and salt mixture or other cooling medium. The work slab10 is then replaced above the compartment 9, an empty tray 16 is placedon the frame. 15 above the compartment 14, and. ther doors 5 and 6tightly closed and latched. Chocolate is then placed in the .receptacle13 and the gas or electric heater 12 turned on to vmelt the chocolate tothe proper workable consistency. The candy-worker then takes up his orher position in front ofthe work-table and proceeds to dip the chocolatefrom the melting pot or receptacle 13 on to the'slab 10, where thechocolate is worked inthe usual manner,

'and the coated or fancy candies produced.

to be noted that from the time the chocolate leaves the receptacle 13until it is removed from theA storage compartment 20, it has been workedand cooled at the proper and desired temperature to produce a'product offine teX-V turc, finish and absence from bloom, Vhen the chocolate isremoved .from the melting pot 13, it is placed on'the cold working slab10, which slab is maintained at a low temperature by reason oftheunderlying compartment 9 which contains ice or cooling coils. This coldslab enables the candymaker to work up'the chocolate coating for thefruit, nut or other centers4 on a coldslab,y

which assists materially inthe manpulation.

IVhen'ithe coating operation is linished,.the lcandies are placed onthetray 16 which hasv alsobeen cooled by previous storage in thecompartment 2O andxby reason of its superposed position with respect tothe ice or coil con'ipartm'ent 14. IVhen the trays of chocolates areplaced within the storage compart# ment 20, they are further set orhardened in an absolutely dry, moisture-free and cold atmosphere, whichproduces avery desirable cooling orvhardening action without thelikelihood of the formation of bloom or gray coloring. Due Sto theprovisionl of the relatively smallvventila'ting holes 27 and 28 there isa slight circulation'of air within thel chocolates perature and thechocolates are set or .hards cned in a dry atmosphere, which has a very'material advantage over the usual types of coolers, in which the airfor cooling the is circulated in direct contact with ice or coils or inwhich the storage compartment has a side or sides in direct contact withthe ice or cooling medium.

lt is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown anddescribed is to'be'talten asa preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape,

y size and arrangement Vof parts may be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit of my invention or. the scoperof the subjoined claims.

Having thus 1described my invention, what I claim as new is i. Acombined chocolateV work table and cooler comprising a cabinet, arefrigerant compartmentpositioned within said cabinet, areceiving traypositioned above the said compartment and yon which the finishedchocolates are placed, and a closed traystorage compartment within thecabinet and spaced from the refrigerant compartment to permit air tocirculate in contact with the outsides of said compartments to maintainthe air within the tray-storage compartment ina dry, cold condition.

2. A combined chocolate work table and cooler comprising a cabinet, anopentopped refrigerant compartment positioned Within said cabinet, aframe positioned above said compartment and adapted to support acandy-receiving tray above the open top of said compartment to cool thetray, and a closed tray-storage compartment within the cabinet andspaced from the refrigerant compartment to permit air to circulate incontact with the outsides of said c0mpartments to maintain the airwithin the traystorage compartment in a dry, cold condition.

3. A combined chocolate work table and cooler comprising a cabinet, 'arefrigerant compartment positioned within said cabinet near the topthereof, a candy working slab positioned above said compartment andadapted to be cooled thereby, and a closed candy storage compartmentpositioned with.

in said cabinet and `below `said refrigerant compartment yand spacedtherefrom to permit air to circulate in contact with the outside of saidcompartments to maintain thel slab positioned above said compartment,and a receiving tray positioned above said com partment, whereby thesaid slab and tray are cooled and maintained at a temperature to insurethe proper worliiigof the candy.

5. A candy work table comprising an open top frame work, a cover adaptedto'overlie said frame work, a refrigerant con'ipartment carried by saidcover, a candy'worliing slab mounted on said 'cover above saidcompartment, and a receiving tray mounted on said cover above saidcompartment, whereby the said slab and tray are cooled and maintained ata temperature to insure the proper working and hardening of the candy.

6. A candy work table comprising an open Utl top frame work, aremovable' coverV adapted Y to overlie said frame work, arcandy meltingkreceptacle carried by the cover, a refrigerant compartment carried ybysaid cover, a'candy Working slab mounted `on said cover above the saidcompartment, and a receiving tray mounted onv said ycover above saidcompartment, the candy melting receptacle permitting the candy to bebrought tothe desired workable .consistency and the cold workingl slaband tray permitting the proper working and hardening of the candy.

7. In combined candy dipping` table and cooler, the combination` with anopen top table, of a removable cover adapted to overlie said frame work,a refrigerant compartment carried by saidV cover,a drip tray securedbelow said compartment for collecting moisture condensing on the outersides of Said compartment, and means for draining said compartment anddrip tray I 8. In a combined candy dipping table and cooler, the.combination with an ropen top table, of a sheet metal cover adapted tooverlie said table, a ri-ifrigerant compartment carried by said sheetmetal cover', a candy working slab removably mounted on said cover abovesaid compartment whereby the slab is cooled, and a closed candy storagecompartment mounted on the table belo'nT the said i'efrige 1antcompartment and spaced i therefrom to permit airto circulate in contactwith the outside of said compartment to maintain the storage comparmentinra dry,

' cold condition.

9. In a combined candy dipping table and cooler, the combination with anopen top table, of a sheet metal cover adapted to overlie said table, arefrigerant compartment carried by said sheet metal cover, a candy lioworking slab mounted on said' cover above said ed on Suid cover abovesaid compartment, whereh;7 the said .Stab and tray are cooled, and aclosed candy Storage compartment mounted in the table below thesadrefriger# ant compartment and spaced therefrom tor compartment, areceiving tray mount? the storage compartment in a dry, cold con- 19dition. A In testimony Wher signature.

eof I hereunto ax my Jon KORKAMES.v

